Collapsible tube



April 8, 1930. w. v. ROOS CCLLAPSIBLE I TUBE Filed Nov 24, 1928 Patented Apr. 8, 1930 PATENT wmmnn v. 3008, on NEW Yoax, n. Y,

conLArsmnE TUBE Application filed November 24, 1928. Serial No. 321,679.

This invention relates to automatic opening and closing devices for collapsible tubes and the like. A I

Pursuant to my invention, the, automatic closure device for a colla sible tube or the like comprises a member ormed or inserted within the discharge orifice of the collapsible tube consisting essentially of a relatively fixed element having a terminal flange portion thereof disposed at or adjacent the terminus of the discharge orifice and extending over a substantial portion of the opening of the orifice of a relatively movable element having a body portion extending transversely to the direction of discharge flow of the medium contained within the collapsible tube, said relatively movable element further comprising a terminal flange portion coacting when in its closed position with said 2 fixed flange portion to efiectually fully close the o enin of the discharge orifice and upon the ow o the medium is displaced to pro vide for the discharge of the medium.

' In most preferred forms of my invention,

. i the membercomprising the above stated two elements is formed from a unitar blank of a suitable contour whereby upon olding the portions of the blank the above stated two elements are provided. My invention is particularly applicable for collapsible tubes having a square or rectangular discharge orifice and the member as a unit is inserted and retained in position'against the pressure exserrated or other sharp edge peripheral portionserving as retaining means.

Further features and obj ectsof my inven- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible tube having its discharge nipple provided with my invention; this view shows my clo-- sure device in its closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 and showing a medium of viscous nature at a stage of discharge;

- Fig. 3 is asectional elevation on line 33 of Fig. 1;

erted by the medium during discharge by a r the containe I "r sure, efiective upon the body portion 19 of Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 showing the use of a temporary outer coating of closure material; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which my closure member may be formed.

The collapsible tube 10 is of any standard or other suitable type,'and comprises essentially a cylindrical portion closed at its bottom by means of the usual clip 11 or the like. The top 12 of the tube is usually frusto-conical to which the discharge nipple'13 is attached. The discharge nipple may be rovided with threading 14, see Fig. 3, or ayonet joint or other suitable form of connectin means for a cap (not shown), or may be su stantially smooth for use with or without a cap, as appears more fully hereinafter.

The orifice 15 of the discharge nipple is shown of substantially square outline.

The device embodying my invention comprises essentially the element 16, the body portion of which is bent at its two right-an gled' corners to lie adjacent three of the four 7 sides of the orifice 15. Its forward terminal ortion 17 is bent upwardly, as viewed in igs. 1, 2 and 3, to form a terminal fixed flange and of a width to completely close the orifice at three sides but of reduced height to provide for the clearance 18, indicated by a vdouble arrowed line, serving as the effective u discharge opening for the tube.

My closure device further comprises the P relatively movable element 19 having body portion extending transversely to the direction of flow, indicated by the arrow 20 see Fig. 3, of the medium contained within the collapsible tube when the collapsibletube is manually or otherwise compressed for dis- 3 charging the same.

The opposite side flanges 21, 21, see Flgls.

3 and 4, are of reduced height .relatlve to t e sides16, 16 of the element 16. The front flange 22 of the relatively movable element 19, when in its closed position, serves to effectually close the clearance 18.

Upon com ression of the, collapsible tube,

2 medium is subjected to pressure applied. With the use of a highly viscose medium, the discharge indicated at 24, see Fig. 2, has the general outline of the discharge opening, the movable flange 22 being displaced to more or less extent relative to the fixed closure flange 17.

Upon release of the pressure, the movable body portion 19 and its movable closure flange 22 are returned to fully closed position automatically, usually by the resiliency of the material of the body portion 19.

Preferably, the parts of my closure member are of unitary construction and of any suitable resilient material such as Monel metal, tempered soft steel or the like formed of a blank of suitable configuration, see Fig. 6, affording the formation of the respective parts of my closure device by suitable blanking, cutting and folding of the respective portions of the material. In such construction, a flexing pivot is provided at the location indicated at 25, see Figs. 3 and 6, aflording a linear pivot point for resiliently returning the relatively movable portion'19 upon release of pressure.

Pursuant to the most preferred form of my invention, the location of flexing of the material at the line of bend 25, serving as the pivot for the relatively movable element 19, is disposed substantially at-the radial center relative to the fixed flange portion 17, and for this purpose the material adjacent the location 25 is upturned curvedly as is indicated in Fig. 3. Also, the opposite side walls 16*, 16 of the fixed portion 16 extend to a location posteriorly of the location 25 of flexing and are pressed to make a close fit with the abut-ting edges of the pivot portion 25, to avoid any substantial clearance between the material 25 and the side walls 16, 16 and thus prevent any substantial accumulation of the medium in the space between P the fixed element 16 and the relatively movable element 19.

Furthermore, I prefer to provide the fixed flanged portion 17 with extensions or apron portions 17, 17, serving to abut the outer face of the discharge opening and thus limit the extent of insertion of my closure device within the discharge orifice of the collapsible tube. V

As a simple and convenient method of retaining my closure device within the discharge orifice I provide the serrations 26 or other angular cutsat one or both of the side portions 16 16*, ofthe fixed element 16, thus enabling the closure device as a unit to be inserted under pressure within the discharge may be employed during the period of ship-.

ment and display by being suitably dimensioned for a friction fit between the cap and the nipple of the tube.

I prefer not to employ a cap and to apply by dipping or otherwise a temporary closure material such as nitrocellulose or other form of so-called soluble cotton, gelatine, paraflin or the like, as indicated at 27 in Fig. 5; such closure material may be readily removed by means of a knife or the like or by other procedure.

My invention will be understood from the foregoing particulars. It will also be appreciated that the approved steps of manufacture of present day collapsible tubes may be adhered to in the adaptation of my invention, as well as the approved present day procedure of automatic and other filling of the desired media within the tubes. My closure device is preferably inserted in position within the discharge orifice of the tube during the process of manufacture of the tube.

A preferred form of my invention as formed of a unitary blank is illustrated in Fig. 6. The body portion 16, positioned in Fig. 3 at the bottom, is substantially central of the corresponding portion of the blank and the body portion 19 extends substantially in alignment with said body portion 16. The fixed flange 17 is formed with the preferred opposite extensions 17*, 17, by providing the slits 17 and giving the desired contour and folding along indicated dotted lines. The

portions 16*, 16 of the body portion 16 are 21 of the body portion 19 of the movableelement of my closure device are formed by roviding the desired contour with wings 21 and folding along the indicated dotted lines. The movable flange 22 is formed by folding along its indicated dotted lines.

It is convenient in the use of steel to blank out the blank indicated in Fig. 6, then form 'the respective parts of my closure device as above described, and thereafter to be tempered in accordance with the characteristics of the material and the special requirements of the manufacturer.

It will be observed that the hereinabove described forms of my closure device are inserted within the discharge orifice of the tube by the application of pressure, in which operation the serrations 26 or equivalent function to retain the closure device against outward displacement upon application of discharge orifice.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: v

1. The combination of a collapsible tube, aunitary closure device disposed within the discharge orifice of said tube, saidclosure device comprising a relatively fixed element having an outer flange portion disposed adjacent the outer terminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion extending in one dimension less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereatand a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of discharge flow of the medium within the tube, said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally extending to close said clearance, said body portion being arranged to be displaced upon application of pressure to the medium within" the body of the tube and thereby displace its terminal flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance and to return to normal position upon release 9f such pressure.

2. The combination of a collapsible tube, unitary closure device disposed Within the discharge orifice of said tube, said closure device comprising a relatively fixed element having an outer flange portion disposed adjacent the outer terminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion having a dimen-- sion less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat,'

a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium within the tube,'said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally extending to close said clearance and resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance.

3. The combinatiouof a collapsible tube, unitary closure device disposed within the discharge orifice of said tube, said closure device comprising a relatively fixed element having an outer flange portion disposed adjacent the outervterminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion having a dimension less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat,

a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium Within the tube, said relatively movable element further having'a terminal flange portion normally tending to close said clearance, resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a dis:

charge opening through said clearance and means for frictionally retaining said fixed body portion within the discharge orifice, of the tube.

4. The combination of a collapsible tube, unitary closure device disposed within the discharge orifice of said tube, said closure device comprising a relatively fixed element having an outer flange portion disposed adja-v cent the outer terminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion having a'dimension less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat, a relatively movable element having a body. portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium within the tube, said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally tending to close said clearance, resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the, medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide 'adischarge opening throughsaid clearance and stop means for limiting the extent of insertion of said ,closure"device Within the discharge orifice.

5. The combination of a collapsible tube, unitary closure device disposed within the discharge orifice of said tube, said closure device comprising a relativelyfixed element having an, outer flange portion disposed adjacent the outer terminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion having a dimension less than the corresponding diinerision of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat, a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium within the tube,said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally tending to close said clearance, resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance and stop means extendin to the front face of said discharge orifice or limiting the extent of inhaving a dimension less than the correspond ign dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat, a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium within the tube, said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally extending to close said clearance, resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance and stop means extending to the front face of said discharge orifice for limiting the extent of insertion of said closure device With- 'in the discharge orifice.

7. A closure device for the discharge orifice of a collapsible tube comprising a relatively fixed element having an outer flange portion disposed adjacent the outer terminal of the discharge orifice, said flange portion having a dimension less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat, a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obli uely to the direction of the discharge flow o the medium within the tube, said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange portion normally extending to close said clearance and resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adapted to yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance,'said fixed element further having oppositely disposed portions extending laterally of said resilient means for excluding the, me-

dium from the region of free movement of.

said movable element.

8. The combination of a collapsible tube, unitary closure device disposed within the discharge orifice of said tube, said closure detion normally extending to close said clearance and resilient means normally tending to position said movable flange portion within said clearance, said resilient means being adaptedto yield to the flow of the medium upon application of pressure to thereby displace said movable flange portion to provide a discharge opening through said clearance, said fixed element further having oppositely disposed portions extendin laterally of said resilient means for exclu ing the medium from the region of free movement of said movable element. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 21st day of Nov. 1928.

WENDEL V. ROOS.

orifice, said flangerportion having a dimension less than the corresponding dimension of the orifice to provide a clearance thereat, a relatively movable element having a body portion normally disposed obliquely to the direction of the discharge flow of the medium within the tube, said relatively movable element further having a terminal flange por- 

